By Marianne Wood The word “reducing” makes me grin. It conjures up a machine that women in the 1950s and 60s used to jiggle their buttocks and arms in order to get rid of fat. My grandmother had access to one in her Dallas condo building. That is where I first encountered this slimming contraption that had a strap attached

By Marianne Wood What’s a tradition, gesture, or habit that reliably brings joy into your life? This question, posed on a strip of copy paper, appeared at a nametag-making station at a recent holiday party. I picked it after a quick review of the choices and thought, “How nice, our hosts have given us a starting place for good conversations.”

By Marianne Wood The gifts of the magi, the gifts of the spirit, the gifts we give for birthdays, holidays, and all sorts of celebrations vary greatly. At this time of year, my news and social media feeds are full of recommendations, from books to groceries. The Trader Joe advertisement sucked me in today. So many things to try like

By Marianne Wood Last Christmas, we put up a new holiday tree in a corner of the dining room. The soft glow cast a warm blessing upon us as we gathered at our table, often with friends. In the evenings, we enjoyed viewing it from our adjacent living room. Open-concept living spaces are a significant improvement over the walled-off ones

By Marianne Wood I gain great pleasure by spending a morning focused on writing about one topic or another that has bounced around in my head, occupying many moments of my days. As I attempt to capture these bits, I improve them with research if necessary, and hone them until, as Owen Jones wrote in The Grammar of Ornament: I am

By Marianne Wood “Some organizations become known for certain programs or fundraisers. The Abilene Woman’s Club became known during the 1980s for its Holiday Tables, and the Abilene Preservation League garnered a reputation for Dining at a Good Friend’s Table…” wrote Roy Helen Ackers, also known as “Miz Cheevus” for the Abilene Reporter-News in June of 2016. For those new to Abilene,